Parliamentary Procedure

Parliamentary Procedure

All That You Need to Know

Parliamentary Procedure...

is a set of rules used to conduct a meeting in an orderly manner; the established rules of order for conducting group meetings. It makes meetings more efficient, productive and is designed to protect the rights of the individual. 

Parliamentary Procedure

• Allows for efficiency.

• Makes the meeting more productive.

• Protects the rights of the individual (right to be HEARD)

• right to remain to be SILENT

• right to FREE SPEECH and ORDERLY discussion

• Provides for majority rule, but protects the rights of the MINORITY

History

Parliamentary Procedure rules began to develop under Great Britain's English Parliament

The two most common codes are Roger's Rules of Order and Sturgis Standard Code

The Five (5) Basic Principles

• One question at a time

• Majority Rules

• Equality Rights and Responsibilities

• Free Debate

• Protection of Minority Rights

Basic Principles

1. You must deal with each question before you move onto the next one.

2. A simple majority is 50% + 1 

3. Limiting any debate or taking away rights a 2/3rds vote.

4. Just because you (or someone else) is in the minority doesn't mean they are wrong.

Basic Principles

5. In Parliamentary Procedure everyone is EQUAL!

6. Being EQUAL means take has the right to speak, be silent, take part in the discussion, cast his/her vote, or serve as an officer.

7. Right to debate is essential to Parliamentary Procedure and democracy. To limit (or take away) any rights requires more of an effort of the majority.

Multiple Choice

A simple majority is 50% + 1. So what is the simple majority in a room of 30?

• 15

• 16

• 14

• 30

Open Ended

What would be simple majority for today?

In your notes, doodle the five basic principles of Parliamentary Procedure.

Holding a Meeting

Holding a Meeting is your 1st Amendment right (the right to assemble).

Holding a Meeting

* P.P. allows for efficient, productive, and democratic meetings.

* A notice must be given, usually ten days and in writing.

* A QUORUM must be present to conduct a legal meeting.

* An order of business (an agenda) should be made and followed.

Multiple Choice

What is the quorum if the meeting has 150 people?

• 50

• 75

• 76

• 150

Multiple Choice

What would be the simple majority if only the quorum shows up? (150)

• 35

• 30

• 39

• 42

Let's do some more math...

QUORUM for Meetings with

80

75

25

435

What would be the simple majority for these meetings? (if EVERYONE shows up)

Let's do some more math...

QUORUM for Meetings with

80 - 41

75 - 38

25 - 13

435 - 218

The simple majority would be the same as the quorum number is the same as a simple majority.

Meeting Agenda

1. Call to Order

2. Reading the minutes from the previous meeting

3. Reports from officers, boards, and standing committees (permanent)

4. Reports of special committees (temporary)

5. Old (Unfinished) Business

6. New Businesses

7. Announcements

8. Adjournment

Multiple Choice

What is the term for the minimum number of people needed to hold a legal meeting?

• simple majority

• quorum

• filibuster

• agenda

Multiple Choice

What type of committees are temporary?

• standing

• special

Poll

Where do you think the "heart" of a meeting is?

• Old Business

• New Business

• Announcements

• Adjournment

The Chair (Presiding Officer)

Maintains Control.

Maintains Order

Acts Impartially.

Recognizes Speakers Impartially

Assures Understanding.

Keeps the Meeting Moving.

Filibuster

A filibuster is a parliamentary procedure used in the United States Senate to prevent a measure from being brought to a vote. The most common form of filibuster occurs when one or more senators attempt to delay or block a vote on a bill by extending debate on the measure.

Cloture

- a motion or process in parliamentary procedure aimed at bringing debate to a quick end.

- Needs 2/3rd's vote because you're taking away someone's right to speak away

Germane

On topic - no babbling or going off on a tangent

Voting Options

• Voice Vote

• Standing Vote

• Division of the House

• Roll Call

• Electronic Voting

Multiple Choice

What does it mean to talk a motion to death?

• cloture

• germane

• filibuster

Multiple Choice

What stops a filibuster?

• nothing

• being germane

• cloture

Multiple Choice

If you're babbling, you're germane.

• TRUE

• FALSE

How are motions made?

1. Obtain recognition. - Raise hand & request attention 

- Madam, Sir, Mr./Miss President (honorifics)

2. The Chair will recognize you.

3. Present motion by standing and saying... "I move..."

How are motions made?

4. Someone provides a second. No

recognition, IMMEDIATE

5. Motion is repeated and summarized? by the

Chair.

6. "Is there a discussion on the pending motion?"

Motion - the Backbone of Parl. Pro.

A motion is a formal suggestion or proposal made by a member for consideration and action by the group. Without a motion on the floor, the group cannot accomplish anything. 

THe motion is the instrument of CHANGE.  

Main Motions ****

1. Deal directly with items of business (agenda)

2. Main motions are the foundation of PP.

3. Second, Debatable, Amendable, 

4. Simple Majority (50% + 1)

Practice

So many states have "official" mascots or symbols - an official fruit, vegetable, drink, snack, etc. 

We're going to run through a quick main motion and debate activity. Create a main motion for the G-LR school system. 

What should be our "official" ____? 

Be prepared to support your main motion. Be prepared to debate both sides of the main motion. 

This is to help you understand how to make a motion, second,?debate, and call for a vote.

Agenda

Official Snack of GLR

Official Drink of GLR

Miscellaneous Business